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Cubs Crush Pittsburgh In Game 2 of Series

Thus far, the Chicago Cubs have won all three series in defense of their World Series championship and to make it to four, they will have to win the last two games of the series against Pittsburgh.

The Pirates executed a come from behind win 4-2 win on Friday over the Cubs and will face enormous MLB odds to make it two straight Saturday afternoon.

Pitching Matchup - Glasnow vs. Arrieta

Tyler Glasnow is on every scouts and general manager's list as potentially dominating starting pitcher. At 6'8, 225 pounds, most scouts describe his stuff as "flithy" when he throws it near the plate. However, that is the rub and in his first start he walked five in an inning and two-thirds, to go along with the four hits allowed and was pulled. How will Glasnow do in his second start, got a coin to flip?

After all the up and down performances in Baltimore, it is astonishing Jake Arrieta (2-0, 2.58 ERA) has been consistently brilliant in a Cubs uniform. His issues with the Orioles are well documented and he's found harmony in the Windy City. Arrieta is extremely confident and is not concerned about the drop in velocity because his breaking pitches cause so many swings and misses. An elite pitcher who is finds ways to win even without his best stuff.

Spotty Offense For Both Clubs

Wrigley Field is not the most fun place to play in April, with the wind usually blowing in from Lake Michigan and the air damp and thick. It seems to be working against Chicago who has nine runs tallied in four games. The top of the order of what is thought to be a star-studded contingent is not doing much, with spots 1-thru-4 hitting .220 thus far.

Pittsburgh is not doing much either at 3.2 RPG and you have to wonder how long they will stay with Andrew McCutchen batting third without results. For Bucs fans and those backing the Pirates with MLB picks, thank goodness for Josh Harrison (.355 OBP) and David Freese (.440 BA).

Betting Odds, History and Bullpen Numbers

Sportsbooks sent Chicago out as ginormous -260 money line favorites. For Pittsburgh, yesterday's victory was a rarity at Wrigley, just their sixth in last 19 tries. The Cubs bullpen had been doing a good job until Justin Grimm had blown save on Friday. Collectively, Joe Maddon's has a top shelf group to work with. The Pittsburgh pensters tossed three scoreless innings yesterday, which has been about their best work this season.

Most of the Chicago hitters are patient, thus, one would imagine they will wait for Glasnow to throw strikes. If he starts grooving pitches, look for the North Siders to put up a sizable amount of runs and Arrieta to hold Pittsburgh in check, making the Cubs a good run line play at -130.